For decades doctors have used low concentration atropine eye drops to slow down progression of myopia (or near-sightedness) in children, but what if you could use those drops to prevent myopia from ever developing? A new study published in JAMA shows promising results!

The LAMP 2 study is an ongoing randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked trial researching the effects of atropine on incidence and progression of myopia. In this new arm of the trial, 474 children between the ages of 4 and 9 who had no myopia at the time of the study were split into three different randomized treatment groups: placebo eye drops nightly (n=155), 0.01% atropine drops nightly (n=159), or 0.05% atropine drops nightly (n=160). At the time of enrollment, the children had a prescription between +1.00D and 0.00D and less than -1.00D of astigmatism. These children were followed over a 2 year time period with routine eye examinations to monitor any change to their prescription. 

At the end of 2 years, there was a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of myopia amongst children using low dose 0.05% atropine every night versus those using the placebo eye drop. 53% of the children using the placebo drop developed myopia; 45.9% of those using 0.01% atropine developed myopia, and only 28.4% of those using 0.05% atropine developed myopia at the end of 2 years. The incidence of myopia between 0.01% atropine users and the placebo group was not statistically significant. Axial length elongation also showed significantly lower progression in the 0.05% atropine group; 0.24 mm/year on average with 0.05% atropine versus 0.32 mm/year with 0.01% atropine and 0.35 mm/year with placebo. 

The side effects of low dose atropine were reported as very mild; in this study photophobia (or light sensitivity) was the most common reported side effect, with 12.9% of children using 0.05% atropine reporting this issue. Interestingly, 18.9% of participants using lower concentration 0.01% atropine and 12.2% of patient using placebo eye drops (which had no pupillary dilation side effect) also reported photophobia. 

The Take Home

Study authors concluded that "among children aged 4 to 9 years without myopia, nightly use of 0.05% atropine eyedrops compared with placebo resulted in a significantly lower incidence of myopia at 2 years." 

More research will continue to be reported from the ongoing LAMP 2 trial, and it will be interesting to see if this preventative effect with 0.05% atropine continues year after year. Based on this strong data, for parents who are concerned about their children being at high risk of developing myopia the use of 0.05% atropine as a preventative treatment before myopia develops is absolutely worth considering. The only FDA approved treatment options of myopia control, including MiSight soft multifocal contact lenses and orthokeratology lenses, require the child to already be myopic before starting treatment, so the incorporation of atropine as an option to use before myopia even begins is a novel new advancement for doctors in our goal to keep children's vision as clear as possible and reduce both dependence on glasses and contact lenses and the potential health risks associated with high levels of myopia. 

At the time of writing this article, only 2 treatments are FDA approved for myopia management and both are contact lenses. Myopia management is the process of slowing down the worsening of near-sightedness in children. Studies show that on average, children with myopia will worsen by -0.50D per year (and -0.75D per year for children of Asian descent) until they are done growing (around age 17 for most). This prescription worsening is associated with actual elongation of the eye ball, called axial length. Faster axial length growth (0.2 mm or more in childhood) is considered rapidly progressive and associated with the risk of much higher prescriptions and higher risks for associated eye diseases, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy. You can read more about the FDA approved myopia management contact lens options here: MiSight soft multifocal contact lenses and Abiliti orthokeratology lenses. But not every parent (or child) is eager to start contact lens wear; are there approaches to slow down myopia progression with glasses? 

Bifocals and Progressive Addition Lenses (PALs)

Childhood myopia is caused by a complex combination of factors, including genetics, reduced outdoor time, and increased near work. When prescribing glasses for children, doctors measure not just what it takes to make distance vision clear, but also the strength of the focusing system of the eye. Children with reduced accommodation (ability to focus on near tasks like reading) or with convergence inefficiencies (eyes that can't comfortably maintain coordination of gaze when looking at near tasks) have increased strain on their eyes when performing near tasks, and theoretically could be at more risk of worsening myopia, but research shows it's much more complicated than this. 

With this theory of near strain being a potential factor in worsening myopia, several studies have investigated if there is any benefit to prescribing glasses with a near addition to reduce strain on the eyes with reading or close tasks through the use of bifocals or progressive glasses. A 2014 study of 135 children with at least -0.50D of myopia between the ages of 8 and 13 showed that those who wore +1.50 add executive bifocals experienced statistically significantly less myopia progression and axial elongation over a 3 year period than their peers who were prescribed normal single vision distance glasses. Average myopic progression over 3 years was -2.06D for the control group and -1.25 D for the bifocal group (a myopia control rate of 39.3%); average axial length progression over 3 year was 0.82 mm of the control group and 0.57 mm for the bifocal group (a myopia control rate of 30.4%). Note that these myopia control rates are less than those reported by the FDA approved contact lenses for myopia management (59% control of spherical prescription change), but still statistically significant.

Interestingly this study found that the myopia management rate was slightly more effective if the children who were prescribed bifocal glasses also had a lower lag of accommodation (more strain on their eye muscles at near) and were also prescribed 3 prism units of base in prism on eye eye. The prism cohort of children had a myopia progression rate of -1.01D over 3 years (a 51% myopia control rate) and 0.54 mm of axial length growth over 3 years (a myopia control rate of 34%). The study authors concluded that executive lined bifocals were effective for myopia management, and that prism lined bifocals were more effective if the child also had accommodative dysfunction. 

So we know executive lined bifocals have some effect, though less than the FDA approved contact lens options. But what if your child doesn't want a huge line going across the middle of their glasses? Would an invisible line bifocal (called a progressive addition lens or PAL) work as well?

The Hong Kong Progressive Lens Myopia Control study investigated just that: 153 myopic children between the ages of 7 and 10.5 were followed over a 2 year time frame. Half were prescribed progressive glasses with +1.50 D of near add, and the other half were in the control group, prescribed normal single vision distance glasses. Over the 2 year study period, the control group had an average -1.26 D increase in myopia and the progressive group had a -1.12 D increase (a modest 11.11% myopia control effect that was not statistically significant). Axial elongation was also measured and the control group had an average 0.63 mm increase in axial length after two years versus a 0.61 mm increase in the progressive group; again not statistically significant. 

The COMET (Correction of Myopia Evaluation Treatment) Study also explored the benefit of progressive lenses. This study followed 469 'ethnically diverse' patients with myopia (-1.25 to -4.50 D) between the ages of 6 and 11 for 5 years. The children were randomly assigned to either progressive addition lenses with +2.00D of add or single vision distance lenses. After 3 years, the average amount of myopia worsening was -1.48D in the control group and -1.28D in the progressive group, a modest but statistically significant myopia control effect of 13.5%. Axial length elongation was on average 0.75 mm in the control group and 0.64 mm in the progressive group, a modest but statistically significant 14.67% myopia control effect. 

The largest myopia management benefit was experienced in the first year, and as the study progressed the effect dwindled more and more. After 5 years, the average amount of increased myopia was -2.10D in the control group and -1.97D in those wearing progressives - not statistically significant. 

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Researchers concluded that even the small benefit seen early in the study was not significant enough to warrant a change in clinical management of myopic patients away from single vision glasses to progressive lenses.  

Myopia Management Glasses Are Coming to the US

While not yet available in the United States, glasses that are specifically approved for myopia management are coming and are already available in Canada, Europe, and Asia. Studies have shown these glasses work very effectively at reducing myopic progression both of prescription and axial length! Both of these technologies work by incorporating high plus power 360 degrees throughout the lens and maintaining clear central distance vision. With executive bifocal and progressive addition lenses, the high plus power is only being processed by the eye with inferior gaze and is thus more limited in it's ability to actually induce peripheral defocus (see this blog post for more insight into how peripheral defocus is essential to myopia control). 

Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS): This unique design found in Hoya's MiyoSmart myopia management lenses uses 400 individual peripheral lenslets of +3.50D scattered throughout the lens. A study published in 2020 followed 183 Chinese children between the ages of 8 and 13 with -1.00 to -5.00D of myopia. On average the control group wearing single vision glasses progressed -0.85 D in that time, and the DIMS group progressed -0.4 D, a 52% myopia control effect. There was also a 62% reduction in axial length progression in the DIMS group compared to control. 

Unlike the COMET study of progressive glasses outlined above where there was waning benefit, studies have shown that DIMS technology continues to achieve statistically significant results. In a 3 year follow-up study of 128 children, kids that had been wearing the DIMS lenses for the prior 2 years continued to do so, and kids that had been wearing single vision distance lenses now switched into DIMS. This study proved that the myopia control effect achieved in myopic prescription change and axial length was stable and maintained over time. Children that switched from control to DIMs group also achieved the same myopia management effect as children enrolled initially in the DIMs group in their first year. The repeatability and consistency of results has garnered a lot of attention that this technology has become our first truly effective glasses option for myopia management. 

Highly Aspheric Lenslet Target (HALT): This unique design is found in Essilor's Stellest myopia management lenses and uses 11 concentric rings of over 1000 lenslets with varying powers. 2 year study data was published in March 2022 following 157 Chinese children between the ages of 8 and 13 with -0.75D to -4.75D of myopia. On average the control group wearing single vision glasses progressed -1.04 D in that time, and the HALT group progressed -0.66D, a 55% myopia control effect. There was also a 51% reduction in axial length progression in the HALT group compared to control. Interestingly, kids who wore their HALT glasses more had an even better myopia management effect. Children who wore their HALT glasses 12 hours or more per day, every day achieved a 67% reduction in myopic progression and a 60% reduction in axial elongation. 

Stay tuned! While neither of these myopia management glasses solutions are available in the United States now, they should be coming soon!

Johnson and Johnson Vision has announced the discontinuation of several prescription ranges for it's popular Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism brand of lenses. Please note, the Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism contact lens is still available in the majority of the power ranges; only specific prescriptions are affected. In a letter to practitioners across the United States, Johnson and Johnson Vision cited the decision was based on a number of factors affecting industries around the world in 2022: short staffing at their distribution and contact center, supply chain issues, and increased product demand. The Acuvue Oasys MAX 1 Day brand of lenses recently launched in summer of 2022. In order to divert resources to the most needed prescription ranges (the company serves 43 million people globally with their Acuvue brand contact lens products), the discontinued parameters listed below were chosen because they were the least ordered prescriptions currently offered by the company. 

The following powers are no longer available:

➡️ Plus Powers (+0.25D to +6.00D)
All -2.25D & -2.75D Cylinder

A. A well fit contact lens showing good centration and full corneal coverage via. B. A poorly fitting contact lens showing inadequate corneal coverage and fluting of the edge via

Prior to disposable contact lenses entering the market in 1987 with the introduction of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care's Acuvue, soft contact lenses were custom designed for a patient's unique corneal shape, size, and prescription. When we average out corneal shape and size for most patients, we do find that the majority of patients fit into an "average" shape, which is why mass-produced soft contact lenses have become the predominant modality of soft contact lens wear. In fact, a 2017 mathematical analysis revealed that a 8.6 base curve and 14.2 mm diameter contact lens achieved a successful fitting relationship in 90% of patients. 

Most patients fall into an "average" range of eye size and shape that provides a successful contact lens fit from an average contact lens shape of 8.6 mm base curve and 14.2 mm diameter. via

To better understand the factors at play, we need to define the two measurements listed on your prescription contact lens box that dictate how a contact lens will fit. Base Curve is the curvature of the lens, and diameter is the overall size of the lens. 

Base Curve of the contact lens. In this example, base curve is 8.5 mm

 

Diameter of the contact lens. In this example, diameter is 14.3 mm

It is tempting to think that the base curve number will define how tight or loose (steep or flat) a contact lens will fit, but in actuality, how a contact lens fits is dictated by a relationship between the base curve and the diameter together, called the sagittal depth. Research shows that the base curve number written on a box of contact lenses is actually a poor predictor of how a contact lens will truly fit on the eye, and to complicate matters, the labelled base curve of a lens on the box many not even truly reflect the curvature of the lens as manufacturers often incorporate mathematical modifications to adjust how a contact lens fits in the periphery versus in the center. Base curve can also change as you wear a contact lens based on environmental factors like the lens drying out, temperature changes, and exposure to makeup or soaps.

As a doctor, selecting a contact lens for best fit is also challenging because the sagittal depth of any contact lens is not notated on the packaging. Additionally, research shows that base curves and diameters as they relate to sagittal depth is not universal across contact lens manufacturers. You would assume that two lenses made by two different companies but both with a 8.6 base curve and a 14.2 diameter would be nearly the same, but that is not always the case. Luckily research done in 2021 has shed some light as to the actual sagittal depth of popular daily disposable contact lenses on the market.

To use this data as a tool for improving contact lens fitting outcomes, there are a few key take-aways:

• Smaller corneal diameters (smaller than 11.7 mm) are associated with lower sagittal depth
• Larger corneal diameters (larger than 11.7 mm) are associated with higher sagittal depth
• Troubleshooting poor vision
• A lens that is moving excessively or rotating with an astigmatism lens will exhibit better stability with a higher sagittal depth
• A lens that is too tight may be warping or vaulting as the patient blinks. In this case you would see minimal to normal lens movement, and a toric lens for astigmatism would look stable with no visible rotation. You can check for vaulting by using an autorefractor, topographer, or keratometer to assess the mire rings as the patient blinks. If the mires alter between blinks, the lens is vaulting and you need a lower sagittal depth lens.

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Which screen is the best for your eyes? Studies show that smaller screens with lower brightness settings, like e-readers or smartphones are the best for visual comfort and ocular surface health!

It's all about the blinking when it comes to keeping eyes happy. Study link here

Have you ever had the experience of leaving the doctor's office with a great contact lens - excellent comfort and perfect vision - only to have the vision and comfort take a marked turn for the worse a few days or weeks later?  As an optometrist, I've seen this issue present itself many times.  The lenses perform and move beautifully on the eye in office, but a few days later I'll get a phone call from the patient that they need to be seen because their lenses "don't fit."  What changed?  New research shows that the products we use around our eyes, from makeup to facewash and makeup remover, can cause significant changes to both the physical shape and performance of contact lenses.

How Does Makeup or Makeup Removers Come in Contact With Your Contact Lenses?

Makeup applied to the waterline can easily transfer onto your contact lenses. The waterline is where our tear glands (called Meibomian glands) sit, so every time you blink, these glands release oils that spread over the surface of the eye, transferring any makeup applied to the area with them. image via

You may be surprised to hear that contact lenses can be affected by your normal skincare products, because they typically aren't coming into contact with each other directly. No one rinses their contact lenses with makeup remover, or coats them with mascara purposefully (or if you do, you'd expect them to be extremely uncomfortable as a result!). The overwhelming majority of the time, contact lenses are exposed to makeup and soaps by accident when you are either inserting or removing your contact lens. Sometimes makeup or facewash residue is still on our hands when we touch our lenses, or if you are wearing your contact lenses when you apply eye makeup like mascara or eyeliner, small amounts of it can easily transfer into your eye and stick to the surface of the contact lens. The majority of monthly and biweekly disposable contact lenses are made from materials called silicone hydrogel, and the silicone in these lenses that helps make the contact lens more breathable is also very attracted to oils. Makeup and makeup removers are primarily oil based products, and once they come into contact with a contact lens, they bind tightly and are next to impossible to remove even with the strongest contact lens cleaners.

To best prevent makeup from sticking to your contact lens and causing blurry vision, redness, or build up on the lens, try this technique:

1. Apply all of your makeup
2. Wash your hands thoroughly
3. Instill a rewetting drop to rinse makeup particles off your eye.
4. Insert your contact lens.

By applying your makeup first and then using an artificial tear drop to rinse stray makeup particles away from the eye's surface, it's less likely that you'll inadvertently transfer makeup onto the contact lens.

The Science of What Makeup And Facewash Can Do to Your Contact Lens

Contact lens edge distortion caused by exposure of samfilcon A lens to Neutrogena Oil-Free Makeup Remover via

What Problems Do Mascaras Cause? These products primarily effect image quality and vision.

When a newborn first opens their eyes to the world, vision is a sense that is mostly dedicated to recognizing mom and dad (see Part 1 of this series about newborn vision). But as new parents know, babies develop rapidly over the first few weeks of life, and vision is no exception! In the first 1 to 2 months of life, your baby is learning how to focus and move their eyes to visually process the world around them.  InfantSEE providers refer to this stage of visual development as "Learning to Look". Your baby is actively learning how to use their eyes for the first time, and at this stage eye muscle movement development includes:

• Pursuits: slow, tracking movements 
• Accommodation: focusing on near objects
• Convergence: eyes turning inward as near objects are brought closer